[A] grieving wife and daughter from Whitehaven have helped to launch a national fundraising campaign to find a cure for brain tumours.
Vicky Mason, aged 44, and Audrey Todd, 64, are working with the national charity Brain Tumour Research to support this year’s Wear A Hat Day which takes place on Thursday 29th March.
Mum and daughter travelled to Milton Keynes to meet businesswoman, model and brain tumour survivor Caprice Bourret at the charity’s HQ for the official launch of the campaign on Saturday 3rd March.
Chris Todd, father to Vicky and Audrey’s husband, was 65 when he died in November 2016 following a two-year battle with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an incurable and aggressive type of brain tumour. The much-loved husband, father and grandfather, is now remembered in the fundraising group In Chris’s Memory which is dedicated to raising money to fund vital research taking place at a network of Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence.
Caprice underwent surgery to remove a low-grade brain tumour which was diagnosed a year ago and continues to be monitored by her medical team. Launching Wear A Hat Day 2018, she said: “I have been so touched by Vicky’s story and the incredible work she has done fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in her father’s memory. It is a sad fact that brain tumours affect so many people and that this devastating disease is indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age – I never even used to get headaches before I was diagnosed.
“I’m proud to be working with Vicky and Audrey and so many others to support Wear A Hat Day. I want everyone to get involved! It’s such a fun event and anyone can take part. Let’s all put our hats on and do something positive to remember Chris and support the fantastic research going on right now. I‘m determined to try to make a difference for the 16,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.”
Vicky said: “My dad was my world and we promised him we would continue to raise awareness of brain tumours and are really proud of what we have achieved so far. We have had such wonderful support from people in and around Whitehaven and I hope they will once again join us by getting involved in Wear A Hat Day.”
Other high-profile names supporting Wear A Hat Day 2018 are television, radio and stage performer, Debbie McGee, who lost husband Paul Daniels to a brain tumour in 2016 and actor and author Sheila Hancock CBE, whose grandson survived a childhood brain tumour.
Specsavers will be supporting Wear A Hat Day 2018 as an official sponsor for the first time.
Wear A Hat Day has raised over a million pounds since it was launched by Brain Tumour Research nine years ago and is the culmination of Brain Tumour Awareness Month in March. The big day will see schools, workplaces, families and individuals across the UK fundraising and taking part in fun events to raise awareness of brain tumours and help fund life-saving research.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone, at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Funds raised through Wear A Hat Day 2018 will develop the charity’s network of world-class brain tumour research centres in the UK.
To get involved, or donate, please visit: www.wearahatday.org
Or text HAT to 70660 to donate £5*
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